Becoming Buddha on the Web

by Robert A.F. Thurman



Namaste'

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Ordinary Mind is Tao

Last month Genjo Marinello Osho published a teisho entitled, "Ordinary Mind is Tao." As usual it's so solid that I've been sitting (Zazen) with it.

It begins with...

“Hundreds of flowers in spring,
The moon in autumn,
A cool breeze in summer,
And snow in winter,
If there is no self-deluded cloud in your Mind.
For you it is a good season.”

What I took from Genjo Osho teisho is the unflinching expression of harmonizing. It is the fact that our body effortlessly harmonizes our breathing, with not only our body but environment that allows us to live this life. It is the bird that has the capacity to harmonize with the air-stream and glide upon it like a fish swims thought the water, with no thought, fear or hesitation. It is this ability to so-called "harmonize" that gives all being to be "as it is."

Are we harmonizing with each other right here, in this now? Am I harmonizing with the people I love? What about those that I don't? Or is there some gap or barrier that divides our Mind? Genjo Osho expresses that only though our Zen practice can "This" be revealed and seen, touched and tasted clearly.

As a regular reminder, Genjo Osho's teisho's are distributed as a "podcast" and are free. It's an unbelievable price for something that is so valuable. They can be downloaded though iTunes. Just search under "Choboji" or Switchpod. Click the link and enjoy.

Namaste'

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Resolving differences

"Friends eventually forgive and eventually come back together because people need people more than they need pride."

Hugh Prather
Excerpt | Love and Courage

Constantly realize the self

"There is no dogmatic Zen, no Zen theory and no Zen philosophy. There is only the constant realization of Self. Keeping our feet on the ground, there is only constant revelation of THIS-as it is, at each moment. THIS is reality; THIS is no other than the manifestation, the cause of Mu. So we say:

Buddha nature pervades he whole universe
Revealing right here now....

Right here now, it is revealed as coughing, as a human being, as a drowsy state of mind. Right here now! There is nothing in this world which is not the Buddha."

Eido Shimano, Roshi
Excerpt | Golden Wind - Zen Talks

Amplification

Years ago, when I was living at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, there was a calligraphy that hung on a wall that said, "Speak only if you can improve upon the silence." I've been thinking about that a lot lately, both directly and indirectly.

One aspect of "Speak only if you can improve upon the silence," is considering what we give a voice to. A simple question is, do we *amplify* kindness, compassion, hope, trust, empathy or do I broadcast ignorance? This is one of those times and situations where we can make a real difference.

If we live in a way that broadcasts and then amplifies intolerance, indifference, anger, mistrust and other negative states and emotions, we only add to the static similar to seeing a TV screen that it off frequency. We end up hurting others and ourselves.

Through practice, we have a *real* opportunity to silence this swirling negativity. We seize the moment and turn it off. As our practice deepens we can then begin to broadcast and amplify more "consistent," healthier messages that not only improve our life, but all that we encounter, which then improves of life of those that they encounter (potentially).

Cause and effect are one, not two separate entities. Speak only if you can improve the silence. Not just with our words, but our actions too. We must learn to be very careful in what we amplify.

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Committed Decision

Tony Robbins once said, "Your life changes the moment you make a new, congruent, and committed decision." That's not a idea. It's the truth.

Wherever we are at in this very moment, if we don't like what's happening or some aspect of ourselves that comes in the for of some character defect we can change it. If we align our head (logic and organization), heart (concentration and determination and feet (our dedicated actions), impossible change becomes possible.

If we really want to change, there is nothing that can stop up. So if we have something that needs to be changed, that means we are procrastinating, as if we're waiting for something? What could that possibly be.

May Your Life Go Well,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

When will you?

In our culture, we often find ourselves quite busy. Rush, rush, rush, distraction, distraction, distraction. We can consumed by these things. But then there are days we something happens that breaks the so-called "normal" pattern and reminds us of who we are and our purpose. Usually this involves some sort of tragedy, involving some big lesson in impermanence.

The truth is that we don't have to wait for the so-called, "other shoe to drop." We don't have to wait for that big dramatic moment to do something, in terms of coming to realization of our purpose. As we say in Zen, "Everyday mind is the Way." We have the opportunity, this Now, this breath that's inside the breath to come to an understanding and penetrating "This."

I was once told, "Zen is not some philosophy. It is a healthy Way to live." If you don't push yourself now, when will you? Are you waiting for some special moment in time (that may never actually come)?

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO.com